Q: Why did you choose this phrase?

My graduate school advisor would often use this phrase. As someone who is cautious and indecisive by nature, I use this phrase to encourage myself to freely pursue my research in a way that fits my interests and ideas. At the same time, freedom comes with responsibility, so I focus on conducting my research in a way that I can be proud to share with others.

Q: What is your research topic?

My goal is to clarify what determines the fate of virus-infected cells. Some cells (hosts) are infected when viruses infiltrate them, but others are not. Moreover, virus infection causes a wide range of diseases. What determines how a virus induces these heterogenous phenomena? To understand this, I study both viruses and hosts.

Q: How did you embark on this research?

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to make a presentation to a famous overseas university professor who was an acquaintance of my advisor. After the presentation, the professor said to me, "Whichever field you choose, you absolutely must continue as a researcher!" This motivated me to become a researcher.

Q: You study viruses. Given the current COVID-19 crisis, is there anything you would like people to know about how to properly understand viruses?

"Preventing infection" and "discrimination" are different things. While working as an intern, I treated a patient who was infected with a virus. This patient refused to accept the fragmentary information from the health personnel, leading to misunderstandings that caused suffering for the patient and their family. To prevent tragedies like this, as an educator, I strive to transmit accurate knowledge in undergraduate education. In particular, I believe it is important for people to not allow themselves to be manipulated by information and to differentiate incorrect from correct information and be cautious of the virus appropriately.

Q: Please tell us about the aspects of your research that have made the biggest impression on you.

I once went about a year without getting any positive results, but with the help of a slight clue, I managed to find a partner for a collaborative study and immediately started making progress in my research and was able to present my results prior to my competitors. To break through barriers, it is important to collaborate with others rather than striving on your own. Therefore, I place great importance on encounters and connections with others.

Q: When do you realize that research is interesting or rewarding?

Research is interesting when you observe a phenomenon that no one else has been able to see. There’s a sense of exhilaration and enchantment when you get results that back up your ideas. These moments are few and far between, but if you are patient, you experience them from time to time.

Q: Please tell us about an experience that you can only talk about now.

I try to walk a straightforward path in life, but sometimes the path in front of me is overgrown, and things don’t go the way I would like. I come out the other side with scratches all over. These wounds have not healed to the extent I can be comfortable talking about them. Sorry.

Q: What are your goals and ambitions for the future?

Facing the COVID-19 crisis has given us a clearer view on certain themes that are yet to be addressed by researchers. We need to work on these themes in collaboration, not only with traditional virus researchers but with researchers in other fields as well. Please lend us a hand. We are striving toward a world where no one has to suffer from viral infections.